Heed stroke warning signs

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The warning signs of strokes should never be ignored because seeking treatment swiftly is critical to survival and the recovery process, but too many people are unaware of stroke symptoms.

“There is too much confusion in the general public about strokes,” said Dr. Thomas Hemmen, Ph.D., of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, San Diego division. “It stems from the misconception they occur very suddenly while more often than not a stroke can present with no pain at all.”

According to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, stroke symptoms include slurred speech, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, paralysis or numbness of the face, arms or legs, drooping face, difficulty walking or dizziness and severe headache with no known cause.

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Hemmen stresses the importance of getting help immediately if a person experiences stroke symptoms, but also said that some people, impaired by stroke, may be unaware of what is happening. In those cases, others in their company need to recognize the signs of stroke and summon help.

According to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, on average every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke — and it’s more common in women than in men. Each year, stroke impacts 55,000 more women than men.

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain, according to the National Stroke Association. When either of these happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage begins.

The death of brain cells during a stroke affects abilities such as speech, movement and memory. More than two thirds of stroke survivors have some kind of impairment, and strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the country.

The risk factors for stroke are similar to those for heart attacks, which occur when blood flow to the heart is blocked by a blood clot. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, family history and atrial fibrillation, or abnormal heart rhythm can all increase the risk for stroke.

The window for seeking help and paving the best path to recovery is just hours, experts say.

“Since the only medicine that is given to stroke victims must be given within three hours from the last time they felt well to be effective, it is crucial that they or who they are with react immediately and dial 911,” Hemmen said. “Patients often drive themselves to the hospital and wait too long after having a stroke. In California, only one quarter of stroke victims arrive at a hospital under three hours.”

Hemmen went on to say often times a person doesn’t acknowledge they are having symptoms because of the impairment caused by stroke.

“The brain makes the decisions and very often a person having a stroke might tell their family they are okay but won’t be able to judge what is going on,” he said. He suggested that if you are with someone who doesn’t appear well that you should ask him or her to repeat a simple sentence. If they cannot, 911 should be called immediately.